Sun tracking system for a solar panel

Abstract

A sun tracking system includes a first, and a second photo sensors, separately mounted on a solar panel on two positions apart from one another and symmetrical with respect to a center of the panel. A first sleeve surrounds the first photosensor; a second sleeve surrounds the second photosensor. Each of the sleeves has an inclined opening with reference to the surface of the panel.

1. A sun tracking system for a solar panel, said sun tracking system comprising:
 a first sensor, located on a first location of said panel; 
 a second sensor, located on a second location of said panel, wherein said first and second locations are symmetrical with respect to a center of said panel; 
 a first sleeve, encircling said first sensor, and having a first skewed opening oriented in a first direction, and 
 a second sleeve, encircling said second sensor, and having a second skewed opening oriented in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and at least one photo-electricity conversion element positioned between said first and second sensors for collecting and converting solar energy into electricity or heat. 
 
     
     
       2. A sun tracking system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first skewed opening is oriented away from the second sensor and said second skewed opening is oriented away from the first sensor. 
     
     
       3. A sun tracking system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first skewed opening is oriented toward the second sensor and said second skewed opening oriented toward the first sensor. 
     
     
       4. A sun tracking system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a step motor coupled to said panel; and 
 a control unit coupled to said step motor for controlling said step motor to adjust an orientation of said panel in response to signals received from said sensors. 
 
     
     
       5. A sun tracking system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein
 said control unit is programmed with a sun tracking algorithm that provides predetermined parameters to said control unit to control the orientation adjustment of said panel. 
 
     
     
       6. A sun tracking system as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a global positioning system coupled to said control unit for providing coordinates of said system to said control unit. 
 
     
     
       7. A sun tracking system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said solar panel comprises a plurality of said photo-electricity conversion elements positioned between said first and second sensors for collecting and converting solar energy into electricity or heat. 
     
     
       8. A sun tracking system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said solar panel further comprises:
 a lens, on top of each of said photo-electricity conversion elements, for collecting sun light onto said respective photo-electricity conversion element. 
 
     
     
       9. A sun tracking system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third sensor, located on a third location of said panel; 
 a fourth sensor, located on a fourth location of said panel, wherein said third and fourth locations are symmetrical with respect to the center of said panel; 
 a third sleeve, encircling said third sensor, and having a third skewed opening oriented in a third direction, and 
 a fourth sleeve, encircling said fourth sensor, and having a fourth skewed opening oriented in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction; 
 each of said first through fourth directions being a different one of the cardinal directions. 
 
     
     
       10. A sun tracking system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein
 said photo-electricity conversion element is surrounded by said first through fourth sensors. 
 
     
     
       11. A sun tracking system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein
 said first skewed opening is oriented away from the second sensor and said second skewed opening is oriented away from the first sensor; and 
 said third skewed opening is oriented away from the fourth sensor and said fourth skewed opening is oriented away from the third sensor. 
 
     
     
       12. A solar panel, comprising:
 first and second sensors located on said panel; 
 at least a photo-electricity conversion element positioned on said panel between said first and second sensors for collecting and converting solar energy into electricity or heat 
 a first sleeve encircling said first sensor and having a first skewed opening oriented in a first direction, and 
 a second sleeve encircling said second sensor and having a second skewed opening oriented in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 
 
     
     
       13. A solar panel as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said first skewed opening is oriented away from the second sensor and said second skewed opening is oriented away from the first sensor. 
     
     
       14. A solar panel as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said first skewed opening is oriented toward the second sensor and said second skewed opening oriented toward the first sensor. 
     
     
       15. A solar panel as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 third and fourth sensors located on said panel to be 90 degrees apart from the first and second sensors; 
 a third sleeve encircling said third sensor and having a third skewed opening oriented in a third direction, and 
 a fourth sleeve encircling said fourth sensor and having a fourth skewed opening oriented in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction. 
 
     
     
       16. A solar panel as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein each of said first through fourth directions being a different one of the cardinal directions. 
     
     
       17. A solar panel as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein
 said first skewed opening is oriented away from the second sensor and said second skewed opening is oriented away from the first sensor; and 
 said third skewed opening is oriented away from the fourth sensor and said fourth skewed opening is oriented away from the third sensor. 
 
     
     
       18. A solar panel as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein
 said photo-electricity conversion element is surrounded by said first through fourth sensors.